State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday reaffirmed the BNP government’s commitment to safeguarding human rights, noting that violations had been widespread over the past 17 years.
Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed said, “We have seen repeated human rights violations in different sectors during the last 17 years. The BNP has formed a humane government and is committed to protecting the rights of all citizens.”
The minister’s remarks followed a letter sent to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman by several international human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, ARTICLE 19, CIVICUS, FIDH, Fortify Rights, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Robert F Kennedy Human Rights, and Tech Global Institute.
The letter called the current period “an opportunity to write a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history” and urged close collaboration with the government to strengthen protections.
Shama Obaed highlighted past abuses, noting that the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which was originally established to maintain law and order, had been misused against citizens under the previous Awami League government.
She stressed that the BNP administration is determined to prevent such violations and uphold rule of law.
The letter from international groups urged the government to address past human rights violations, protect ethnic and religious minorities, ensure freedom of expression, and safeguard over a million Rohingya refugees in the country.
During the election campaign, the BNP had also committed to economic and social rights, including improvements in health, education, social security and environmental protection, she added, emphasising that human rights protection will remain a central government priority.
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